Conservatives are pondering a lot of policies at Vancouver convention

Conservatives are set to vote today on changes to their policy handbook and their constitution. Here’s a look at some of the measures they’ll be deciding upon.

Policies:

— that a national referendum must be held prior to implementing any future electoral reform proposal.

— adding a policy saying “the government should support and encourage the private development of the Energy East pipeline.”

— modifying existing policy on aboriginal affairs to say the party supports “the abolition of the Indian Act and proposes a new legislation which recognizes the fiduciary obligation of the Federal Crown while proposing a new deal with First Nations based on autonomy, taxation capacity, transparency, accountability and property rights.”

— adding to existing section on firearms to say a Conservative government “recognizes that civilian firearms ownership is a Canadian heritage,” and that a Conservative government would order a review of firearms related laws to identify parts that have no public safety value.

— adding that the party supports “conscience rights for doctors, nurses, and others to refuse to participate in or refer their patients for abortion, assisted suicide, or euthanasia.”

— deleting existing section that says: “We believe that Parliament, through a free vote, and not the courts should determine the definition of marriage. We support legislation defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

— adding a policy that the party will not endorse religious or cultural courts.

Constitution:

— to add “a belief in the value and dignity of all human life” as one of the party’s principles.

— to refresh the policy handbook after every fourth convention to take out all redundant and spent items

— to extend free admission to convention to people who donate the maximum either nationally or locally, instead of just nationally

— formalize that senators are allowed a vote in the process of selecting an interim leader